LPO's 25 th anniversary gala to honor 25 Laredoans for unwavering support

 

The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra will honor 25 Laredoans at its 25 th Celebration Gala, Friday, November 5, at the Laredo Country Club. The honorees, whom have all had a hand in the growth and sustainability of the LPO over the last 25 years, are Josephine Brand, Webb County Judge Louis H. Bruni, Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., E.H. Corrigan, Seymon Deutsch, Dr. Ramon Dovalina, Josie Guerra, Gary Jacobs, Sam Johnson, Elia Ilda G. Espinosa, Mayor Betty Flores, Barbara Kazen, Dr. Ray Keck III, Richard Kilmer, Roslyn Mandel, Joe C. Martin III, Guadalupe Martinez, Ann Neel, Theresa Nimchan, Dennis Nixon, Hortense Offerle, Alma Gloria P. Resendez, A.R. Sanchez, Jr., Julia Watson Jones, and Senator Judith Zaffirini.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize 25 Laredoans who have contributed not only to the success of the Philharmonic, but to the very existence of an artistic world in Laredo, stretching back to the times of the Symphony Orchestra,” said LPO director Brendan Townsend. “Their financial, organizational, and supportive contributions cannot be underestimated. Their unwavering support assures me as a music director of continued musical help in this city.”

Tickets for the Celebration Gala are on sale for $75 per person and can be purchased by calling 721-5812.

The 25th Silver Anniversary Season, “Silver Memories/Golden Dreams,” launched its five-concert season Sunday, Oct. 3 at the LCC Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center.

The remaining Philharmonic Orchestra schedule includes a Sunday, November 7, performance at TAMIU's Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The performance, entitled “Silvery Shadows,” features the comic work for actors and orchestra called “Phantom of the Orchestra” and an eclectic mix of work from Tchaikovsky, Bach, Gluck, Saint-Saens, and Mussorgsky.

The Orchestra's Sunday, February 27, 2005 performance at the Martinez Fine Arts Center is entitled “From the Stage and Silver Screen” and includes the music of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusiek (featured in Ace Ventura Pet Detective), and the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (featured in the Godfather, Part III.) Also featured are popular arias from such operas as La Traviatta , I Pagliachi , and Gianni Schicchi.

An April 17 concert entitled “Golden Ages” will bring forth beautiful works from the “Golden Ages” of music, from the baroque to modern. This concert, which features the brilliant young pianist Adam Jackson from Fort Worth , winner of the 2004 Young Texas Artists Competition, will be staged at the TAMIU Performing Arts Recital Hall.

A fifth concert, which is in the planning stages, will celebrate the 250 th anniversary of the City of Laredo . The City of Laredo will underwrite the cost of that performance.

David Malcom Brown is the president of the board of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra. Other board members include David M. Slaughter, Jr., vice-president; Joy Melina Simpson, treasurer; Violet Marlowe, recording secretary; Alejandro Cabezut, finance committee chair; Carlos Luna, strategic planning committee chair; and Ramon Zertuche and Philip Freed, gala committee co-chairs. Other members of the board include Celita Borchers, Bill Balzar, Vince Clark, Jesus Gonzalez, Mariangela Holiday, Dortha Jackson, Emma Mejia, Linda Mott, Theresa Nimchan, Hortense Offerle, Angelo Piccirillo, and Emma Vidaurri.